PENANG is set to have its first Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) next year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the UTC is a Federal Government’s initiative to bring services to the people.
“The Government was looking to have one UTC in Penang. The state shortlisted a few locations for the Finance Ministry (MoF) to choose and the ministry selected Komtar.
“It has not been finalised as agreement hasn’t been signed. We are still in negotiation with the ministry pertaining to the rental, the number of agencies moving in, social amenities and facilities, and the layout plan.
“The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is responsible for preparing the premises for the agencies to move in; and the tenant, which is the MoF, will be paying the rental and facility management charges to PDC as the property owner,” Chow told a press conference at PDC after launching the corporation’s programmes in-conjunction with its 50th anniversary today.
PDC senior deputy general manager (Implementation) Yeoh Lean Huat said the ministry has chosen to house the UTC at Level Two and Three of Komtar.
“The total size of the proposed area is about 44,000sq ft.
“So far, we have 15 agencies, which include the police, Immigration Department and Health Department,” Yeoh said, adding that a dental clinic is also being proposed.
Other agencies include National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), Road Transport Department (JPJ), JobsMalaysia, Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Telekom and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
Yeoh, who is also the chief engineer and head of the project, said PDC was still working on the project requirements.
“We are still looking at the specifications, designs and furnishings. The installation of equipment and renovation works are scheduled to complete next year as the ministry is hoping that the centre can start operating next year,” Yeoh said.
Among the other UTCs in Malaysia are UTC KL, UTC Perak, UTC Johor, UTC Pahang, UTC Kedah, UTC Sabah and UTC Sarawak.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan